He was television’s ultimate heartthrob, a red carpet regular, and the kind of leading man fans thought would shine forever. But behind the charm and confidence was a story that would take unexpected turns.Before he became McSteamy, Eric Dane was just a kid from San Francisco chasing a dream, unaware of the highs, heartbreaks, and final chapter that would redefine how the world saw him. Scroll through 30+ photos as we revisit the moments that shaped the man behind the legend.Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane’s life was marked by early tragedy, a loss that would quietly shape how he loved, worked, and later fought for his own family. His father died from a gunshot wound when he was seven years old, according to reports from People.

The outlet also reported that during an interview with another publication in 2014, Dane talked about his father, saying, “He was a Navy man and ended up becoming an architect and interior designer. He was a troubled soul.” That loss, he later admitted, felt even more “devastating” once he became a father himself.Dane didn’t plan to act. He was a high school water polo player who auditioned for “All My Sons” on a whim. “I was a water polo player in high school and my season was short, and I ended up getting roped into playing Joe Keller in All My Sons. Dead serious. And I fell in love with it. I was, like, this is the greatest feeling ever!”And just like that, a career was born, one that would skyrocket faster than he ever imagined, and test him in ways no script could prepare him for. After graduation, Dane moved to Los Angeles with “40 bucks in my pocket,” he told People.